Angus MP calls for tax credit cuts rethink

Mike Weir MP

Published:11:40Wednesday 21 October 2015

Angus MP Mike Weir has called on the UK Government to reverse plans for cuts to tax credits.

During an opposition day debate on tax credits, SNP MPs supported a Labour motion which called on the UK Government to think again about £4.3 billion of cuts to tax credits which will come into effect in April 2016, which will leave 200,000 Scottish families £1,300 worse off a year, and to consider the true impact the policy will have on their constituents.

The opposition motion was supported by 295 members but a majority of 317 voted against reversing the Tory cuts to tax credits.

Mr Weir said: “Many families in Angus rely on tax credits to supplement low wages and the UK government proposals will hit them hard. The UK Government says it is trying to get people back into work but this policy will hit the very families that are trying to do that.”

“Over half a million children live in families that rely on tax credits to make ends meet. 350,000 of those children will feel the impact of Tory cuts as they strip away much needed tax credits from over 200,000 low income working families across Scotland.

“The debate presented an opportunity to send a message to the Government that they have got tax credits badly wrong and it was an also an opportunity for those on the government benches to admit that they got it wrong.

“The Tories want to give Scotland the ability to tinker around the edges of social security but it is completely unrealistic to expect Scotland to plug the black-hole created by their tax credits cuts.

“Our message to the UK Government is clear: Scotland must have the power to pull children and families out of poverty, and this can only be done if we have a proper welfare system with social security powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament.”